Learn how to configure CleanBrowsing DNS on your Mac. This guide walks you through the manual configuration process using System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions).
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (on macOS Ventura and later) or System Preferences (on older versions).
Click on Network in the sidebar (or in the main System Preferences window on older macOS).
Select your active network connection, typically Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Then click Details (macOS Ventura+) or Advanced (older versions).
Click on the DNS tab. You will see a list of current DNS servers. Remove any existing entries by selecting them and clicking the - (minus) button.
Click the + (plus) button to add new DNS servers. Enter the following addresses one at a time:
185.228.168.168185.228.169.168Click OK, then click Apply to save your changes.
Note: If you have a paid CleanBrowsing plan, use the DNS IPs provided in your dashboard instead.
Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities) and run the following command:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Enter your administrator password when prompted. This clears the DNS cache so your Mac starts using CleanBrowsing immediately.
Visit dnsleaktest.com and run the Standard Test. The results should show CleanBrowsing as your DNS provider.
You can also verify from Terminal:
scutil --dns | head -20
Note: Changes may take 10-15 minutes to fully propagate. Disable and re-enable Wi-Fi to speed this up.
